Published 10:00 pm, Sunday, August 5, 2007

At fall camp Sunday afternoon for the Washington State football team, there were noticeable differences from seasons past.

Three new coaches took the field Sunday, as did a slew of fresh players, a collection that coach Bill Doba calls his best recruiting class ever. And unlike previous years, the newcomers were mostly freshmen, not junior college players, and several of those freshmen were expected to compete for immediate playing time.

"I'm optimistic," Doba said. "I'm excited to get to working. We've had a great summer, and I can't wait to take the field."

Entering his fifth season, and the most pivotal of his tenure at WSU, Doba brushed off questions Sunday about job security or pressure.

But following three consecutive seasons without a bowl appearance, including the ignominious conclusion to last season, in which the Cougars lost their final three games after starting 6-3 with a top-25 ranking, there is a palpable sense of urgency surrounding the program.

The biggest offseason change was one Doba seemed to relish talking about Sunday.

After defensive coordinator Robb Akey was named coach at Idaho, Doba returned to his previous role at WSU, taking over the defensive coordinator duties he held under Mike Price. He will also coach linebackers.

"I wasted a lot of time before," Doba joked, "sitting in the office talking to old friends and stuff. I get to work on football a lot more now."

In addition to Akey's departure, three other coaches left in the offseason: Running backs coach Kelly Skipper was named tight ends coach for the Oakland Raiders and was replaced by former WSU and NFL running back Steve Broussard; Marty Long was brought in from Nevada to take over Akey's defensive line duties; and David Walkosky was hired from Toledo to coach cornerbacks and special teams. Walkosky replaced secondary coach Ken Greene, who resigned in May. Leon Burtnett, who was coaching linebackers, will now handle safeties.

Personnel losses were also a big story in the offseason. The Cougars lost 10 players -- most to grades -- including three expected to start or make significant contributions: running back DeMaundray Woolridge (academics, transferred), linebacker Jason Stripling (academics, practicing with team) and guard Andy Roof (DUI, suspended from school).

Another starter, defensive end Lance Broadus, likely will miss the season opener at Wisconsin following shoulder surgery.

For a team picked eighth by the Pac-10 media, all the changes don't exactly make a turnaround any easier.

"There is certainly a different feel," quarterback Alex Brink said. "You got new guys and new coaches. You lose some old faces, which probably in the end is a good thing. You don't want guys who aren't working hard to be around the team. I think coaching staff- and team-wise, we're in a better position than this time last year."

But for all the upheaval, one thing remains a constant -- the Cougars will only go as far as their defense takes them, specifically their secondary.

While the offensive line must find three new starters, there is at least enough experience to piecemeal a serviceable rotation. Dwight Tardy is the lone running back with much game experience, but sophomore Chris Ivory has flashed big-time potential.

It is the secondary, again, that will tell the story for WSU.

The Cougars must replace two starting cornerbacks. They also lost safety Eric Frampton, who was an All-Pac-10 selection in 2006 and drafted by the Raiders in the fifth round of April's NFL draft.

Doba said the secondary, with the offensive line running second, concerns him most.

Freshman Chima Nwachukwu and junior college transfer Devin Giles will get long looks in cornerback competition, while touted JC transfer Terry Mixon, expected to compete for a starting job, has been slowed by a fractured foot and showed up to camp overweight.

EXTRA POINTS: Receiver Michael Bumpus was not at practice Sunday due to a paperwork issue. He is expected to practice Monday. ... All of WSU's freshman recruits made it into school. The only academic casualties from the Cougars' recruiting class were a pair of junior college transfers -- linebacker Wyman Alexander and defensive lineman Oga Faumui. ... Doba called rumors of Price returning as coach and Doba returning fulltime to defensive coordinator "just silly."